16Hit1600
Standard English ConventionsMediumSemicolon before 'therefore'

Standard English Conventions practice question

The samples had been stored above freezing for two ____ therefore, the results were discarded.

Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English?

  1. A. days;Correct
  2. B. days,
  3. C. days
  4. D. days, and;

Answer: A. days;

Two independent clauses joined by 'therefore' take a semicolon before it and a comma after.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. days,
A comma before 'therefore' between two clauses is a splice.
C. days
No punctuation runs the clauses together.
D. days, and;
'And;' combines two joining devices incorrectly.

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